Friedrich Joseph Haass

Friedrich Joseph Haass was born on August 10, 1780 to an apothecary in Münstereifel, Germany. He studied in Cologne and Jena, and took his doctoral degree as a physician in 1805. After this, he
specialized in ophtalmology. At the age of 26 he arrived in Moscow with the entourage of the Russian prince Repnin and became soon one of the most respected physicians of Russia, making it to the
circles of the wealthy. As medical supervisor of the Moscow Prison System, he was aware of the inhuman conditions of the prisoners, the so-called "Unfortunates" from all parts of Russia, which were
banned to Siberia and had to march in chains from Moscow to Siberia. Haass tried his best to alleviate their ordeal and to comfort them. He found his place in history as "Holy Doctor", and is still
venerated as such by the Russian people. Many writers such as Dostojewski, Tolstoi, Solshenitsyn, Kopelew and Boell mention Haass and his acts of charity in their literary works. Haass has been a
builder of bridges in more than one respect:

* between social classes: between the rich and the poor
* between nations: between the Germans and the Russians
* between churches: between the catholic and the orthodox christians.

The beatification procedure for Haas was induced by Cardinal Meisner, the Archbishop of Cologne, upon the initiative of the Archbishop of Moscow.

Award

The Friedrich Haass Society received the Robert Bosch Foundation Award for its active support of contacts between Germans and Russians. In order to support civic society in Russia and
German-Russian cooperation, the Robert Bosch Foundation and the German - Russian Forum under the patronage of the German President Dr. Horst Köhler awarded this year its medal of honor to the Haass
Society (Bad Münstereifel) for having organized the German-Russian school project "Tracing Dr Haass in Moscow and Münstereifel". This year´s price was awarded to both the Haass society and the
"Memorial" society. In 2003, both organizations organized a student exchange from Moscow and Münstereifel, where the students visited places of the "holy doctor" in Germany and Russia.

Tracing Dr. Haass in Bad Münstereifel

The day belongs completely to the traces of Friedrich Josep Haass. Visit the birth house, the memorial place and much more besides. Drink a cup coffee in Heino's cafe. Perhaps you are served by
him.